We’d like to invite our parishioners to help sponsor our Sundae Sundays this summer.

Sundae Sunday typically occurs on the 3rd Sunday of each month from June to September.

For more information, please email Edward Trochimczuk at etrochimczuk@stfrancisnyc.org or call him at 212-736-8500 Ext. 361.

Below is a table comparing June 2018 collections to our current June 2019 collections.

As you can see our collections have gone down and we are not making our budget.

We need everyone to do their part to keep St. Francis on firm financial ground.  The best way to use this is to make your offering using our online giving system.

You can sign up for online giving HERE.

We ask all of our members and visitors to offer the equivalent of ONE HOUR of their weekly salary per week to support the mission of the church.  This comes to a tithe of 2.5%

Thank you to all of you who are already doing your part.

“And who is my neighbor?” is the question asked by the scholar of the law to Jesus. The answer probably came as a surprise to this man because Jesus tells the story of the “good” Samaritan. Remember, there was a mutual hated between the Jews and the Samaritans and vice versa. Jesus chooses a Samaritan to be the hero of this story. What happens is familiar to us but to the scholar, there was much to think about because it involved a “good” Samaritan and this was a person who went out of his way for a stranger. Quite a response.

There are several ways to participate in the Commemorative Book that is being prepared for our 175th Anniversary. Check online for a flyer about the St. Francis Church 175 Anniversary Commemorative Book or look at the form that was included in the weekly bulletin (or pick up one in the lobby). There will be pages with family greetings, memorial pages, pages for ads, and a pet section. All sponsorships must be submitted before the end of this month.

Next May’s Pilgrimage to the Passion Play and Alpine Europe is full. There are still some openings for this November’s Pilgrimage to the Shrines of France. There are no more single rooms available, but rooms for two people are available. Information and registration forms are available at the Front Desk.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.

Chapter 4: Signs of Holiness in Today’s World

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Often, we are asked to pray for vocations to the priesthood and/or religious life based on this passage from today’s Gospel, and we should pray. Remember, though, that Jesus “appointed seventy two others.” He realized that the work to be done was going take many people to accomplish this. In today’s world we know that indeed, there is much work be done. Many haven’t heard the good news of the Gospel or many do not understand what it means, or many may not be ready to allow this message to touch their hearts. Priests and religious need to do their share of accomplishing this, but the task cannot be done without you – lay women and lay men living out the values of the Gospel and setting a good example for others. People may, at times, ask you why you believe in God or even, why you still are active in the church. Your answer has a great value. When it comes from the heart, it is important. You may feel inadequate to answer specific questions, but your heart felt response means much.

From the insert in a recent bulletin, there was a flyer about the St. Francis Church 175 Anniversary Commemorative Book. We would like to invite you to participate in this book by placing an ad, offering congratulations, remembering deceased loved ones, and a section for pets. These come in different sizes and any photos should be high resolution. A free copy of the book will be given to anyone purchasing space, or you may pre-order a copy using the ad in today’s bulletin or you can download it ONLINE here. We want to celebrate this monumental anniversary.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, OFM

Chapter 4: Signs of Holiness in Today’s World

Prayer of supplication is an expression of a heart that trusts in God and realizes that of itself it can do nothing. The life of God’s faithful people is marked by constant supplication born of faith-filled love and great confidence. Let us not downplay prayer of petition which so often calms our hearts and helps us persevere in hope. Prayer of intercession has particular value, for it is an act of trust in God, at the same time, an expression of love for our neighbor.

Intercessory prayer is an expression of our fraternal concern for others, since we are able to embrace their lives, their deepest troubles and their loftiest dreams. Of those who commit themselves generously to intercessory prayer we can apply the words of Scripture, “This is a man who loves the brethren and prays much for the people.”